Best Equestrian Camping near Minocqua, WI

Sailor Lake NF Campground provides access to equestrian trails within the Chequamegon National Forest, with campsites that accommodate horses and their owners. The campground features approximately 24 sites, some suitable for RVs, with sufficient space for horse trailers at select locations. Most horseback riders frequent this campground for its direct connection to forest service roads and trails that permit equestrian use. The primitive setting includes vault toilets and water access but lacks electric hookups or full-service facilities. Campsites are well separated from each other with ample room for horses to rest between rides. The large, forested sites allow for proper distance between horses and neighboring campers.

The equestrian trail system connecting to Sailor Lake Campground offers miles of riding through northern Wisconsin woodlands. Riders can access multiple trail loops of varying difficulty levels, with routes that wind past small lakes and through scenic forest terrain. Campers should bring water buckets for horses as natural water sources may be seasonal and limited in certain areas. The campground's open layout provides space for temporary paddocks or highlines, though no permanent horse corrals are available. Horse owners should follow forest service regulations regarding feed storage, manure management, and overnight tethering. The campground typically operates from late April through October, with fall offering particularly favorable riding conditions as ATV traffic diminishes and the weather cools. Most equestrian campers report the best experience midweek when the campground is less crowded.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Minocqua, Wisconsin (3)

    1. Torch Lake Campground

    3 Reviews
    Eagle River, WI
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 479-5160

    $40 - $47 / night

    "Private sites, large, forested, near hiking trails and clean bathrooms. Fall colors are spectacular here! Eagle River is close by with charming shops and friendly locals."

    "There are only a few sites and most are drive through. There is a beach on a 39-acre lake. I highly recommend this place! https://www.vilaswi.com/lodging/camping/torch-lake-campground-and-rv-park/"

    2. Sailor Lake NF Campground

    4 Reviews
    Park Falls, WI
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 762-2461

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Nestled within Wisconsin forest you find Sailor Lake. This national forest campground has water access as well as sites away from the lake."

    "* View ⛺️⛺️⛺️ 3/5 This is one of the lakeside campsites. You can see the lake from the campsite, but its not very close to the shore. The prairie next to our site is quite lovely."

    3. Underdown Campground

    1 Review
    Irma, WI
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 539-1034

    "Very ample space except near the water. Multiple small lakes around the area. Can set up camp anywhere but the road really."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Minocqua, WI

9 Reviews of 3 Minocqua Campgrounds


  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2019

    Sailor Lake NF Campground

    Spacious sites in the Wisconsin woods

    Nestled within Wisconsin forest you find Sailor Lake. This national forest campground has water access as well as sites away from the lake. We stayed at site 12 - a pull through site away from the water.

    Many, although not all, of the waterside sites are for tents. You park and carry your gear down a few steps for a close to the water feel. There is an open area for everyone to enjoy the lake - it’s filled with purple flowers today. With plenty of woods around, all sites offer privacy but they have different vibes. Plenty of choice here so look around or reserve one. Plenty of sites available for walk-ins too. A couple of vault toilets, garage receptacle and water source round out a nice camp.

    ATV trails as well as non-motorized trails are plentiful. We hiked on them and it was nice. Minimal cell signal encourages disconnecting for your stay.

  • Mary M.
    Sep. 7, 2020

    Sailor Lake NF Campground

    Site 24 Labor Day Weekend

    • Kindling ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️ 5/5 Kindling was dry and abundant! Good variety of sizes.
    • Cooking grate/fire ring ⛺️ 1/5 Only because there IS a grate. Most other sites have better system but this one is broken.
    • Hammock trees ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️ 4/5 Hung two hammocks at site, could hang more. Trees could be slightly farther apart, but they were sufficient and there were options.
    • Privacy ⛺️⛺️⛺️ 3/5 Other campsites were visible from this site (especially 24) and most campsites here are right on the road. 23 and 24 are set back a bit.
    • View ⛺️⛺️⛺️ 3/5 This is one of the lakeside campsites. You can see the lake from the campsite, but its not very close to the shore. The prairie next to our site is quite lovely. The moonrise over the lake the first night was incredible.
    • Neighbors ⛺️⛺️ 2/5 We expected some noise as this site is on an ATV trail. What we didn’t expect was three hours of chainsawing on Saturday afternoon. Other than a few folks riding by on souped-up golf carts blasting “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the ATV traffic was not an issue.
    • Firewood ⛺️⛺️ 2/5 Drove to County Line Gas Station in Minocqua to get firewood, which was pretty far. Almost nothing for firewood closer than that, as far as we could tell. $6 for a large bundle, not bad! Some of the bundles were a bit wet, however.
    • Toilets ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️ 4/5 Pit toilet cleaned and restocked daily. What more could you ask for?
  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2021

    Smith Rapids Campground - CLOSED 2021

    Camp along the river - with horses

    This campground is closed for 2021. However we didn’t know beforehand and are glad we checked it out. Right by camp entrance is a historic covered bridge. We weren’t the only o es stopping to see it today.

    We walked in to see the campground. Vault toilets, water and garbage are there. It hasn’t been mowed but the sites look medium size but most are well separated from each other. The ones we saw had more sun than shade. If you camp here, keep going around the bend to choose the best site. They curl around with some separation.

    This is listed as an equestrian campground so we looked for the trail along the river. We found what looked like a trail but the weeds were high. I’d be interested to see what it looks like when it reopens.

  • J
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Torch Lake Campground

    Truly a Gem!

    Private sites, large, forested, near hiking trails and clean bathrooms. Fall colors are spectacular here! Eagle River is close by with charming shops and friendly locals.

  • Wade W.
    Oct. 14, 2021

    Underdown Campground

    Great primitive camping

    No running water, no bathrooms, no crowded plots. It's as primitive as can be. Very ample space except near the water. Multiple small lakes around the area. Can set up camp anywhere but the road really. As long as the previous campers clean up after themselves is fairly clean and a nice spot to camp. Ice age trail for hiking and good blue gill spot.

  • Lynette J.
    Sep. 29, 2020

    Torch Lake Campground

    Quiet. Remote. Only a few sites.

    This place is fairly new and in excellent condition. It is well maintained. There are only a few sites and most are drive through. There is a beach on a 39-acre lake. I highly recommend this place! https://www.vilaswi.com/lodging/camping/torch-lake-campground-and-rv-park/

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Torch Lake Campground

    Great Stay

    This is a great campground to get away too. Everything was clean and well kept. Host were great.

  • Lynette J.
    Sep. 29, 2020

    Sailor Lake NF Campground

    A little rustic, some like it that way.

    If you prefer a little rustic and secluded and don’t mind vault toilets if you don’t have your own, this is a perfect place. It’s very wooded and the sites are private. It offers something for ATVers, horseback riders, anglers and hikers.

  • L
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Sailor Lake NF Campground

    Quiet & Solitude

    There are a lot of sites here, but we were essentially alone with only one other party on our loop! Extremely quiet! We saw only one fishing boat during our four night stay.


Guide to Minocqua

Wisconsin offers a fantastic experience for horse camping enthusiasts, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to both equestrians and their horses.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • At Underdown Campground, visitors can enjoy ample space for setting up camp, with the freedom to choose their spot, making it ideal for those who prefer a more primitive camping experience.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • The scenic trails around Sailor Lake NF Campground provide excellent opportunities for horseback riding, along with hiking and ATV trails for varied outdoor adventures.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like water access

  • Torch Lake Campground features water hookups and is well-maintained, ensuring that both campers and their horses have access to essential amenities during their stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Minocqua, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Minocqua, WI is Torch Lake Campground with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Minocqua, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Minocqua, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.